LSE Anthropology and Law 2023

Hi, do you think lse look more at grades of personal statement for this course?

Reply 90

Original post by Anonymous #5

Hi, do you think lse look more at grades of personal statement for this course?

Definitely personal statement. There's actually a very small number of offers given out (around 30) but usually around 500+ applicants so the only way for them to differentiate between applicants is the PS. In terms of what they're looking for in the PS, it should have a good balance between anthropology and law, although it's fine for the two categories to overlap. For example, someone might write about human rights from both a law perspective and then go onto talk about it from an anthro perspective, perhaps relating it back to cultural relativism.

I'm an LSE Anthro & Law student btw so if anyone has any questions about the course or LSE in general, let me know.

Reply 91

Original post by lunaaaaaaaa12345

Thank you so much for the reply! Would this offer be the case even if i applied early november?

No problem. Yes, LSE takes a while to give out offers, especially for this course as the anthropology department have to also consider who they're giving straight Anthro offers to as well as Anthro and Law offers

Reply 92

Original post by poppy2022

No problem. Yes, LSE takes a while to give out offers, especially for this course as the anthropology department have to also consider who they're giving straight Anthro offers to as well as Anthro and Law offers

Hi, ive applied to anthropology and law and have been waiting since november, im starting to get worried. Im also worried about my personal statement as im scared it doesnt have a lot of anthropology in it. I wrote a bit about how the law changes depending on culture of a society, does that link to anthropology?

Reply 93

Original post by Anonymous #5

Hi, ive applied to anthropology and law and have been waiting since november, im starting to get worried. Im also worried about my personal statement as im scared it doesnt have a lot of anthropology in it. I wrote a bit about how the law changes depending on culture of a society, does that link to anthropology?

Hello, LSE always takes very long to respond. I personally didn't hear back until April and I know some people who got their offers later than myself. The law changing depending on culture of a society is definitely relevant to anthro. It will definitely work in your favour if you also had some more references to anthro in your statement. Either way, it's really impossible to predict the outcome, especially as the course is quite oversubscribed. Someone's personal statement can have a perfect 50/50 split between the two subjects and still get rejected as there may be someone with a 30/70 split who just happens to have a stronger personal statement. I know from experience how hard it is to just cast the worries out of your mind, but just remember that it's out of your control now. Focus on what is in your control which is getting good A level grades. I personally know a few people who successfully got an anthro and law offer but didn't end up making the grades, so offers really aren't everything.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 94

Original post by poppy2022

Hello, LSE always takes very long to respond. I personally didn't hear back until April and I know some people who got their offers later than myself. The law changing depending on culture of a society is definitely relevant to anthro. It will definitely work in your favour if you also had some more references to anthro in your statement. Either way, it's really impossible to predict the outcome, especially as the course is quite oversubscribed. Someone's personal statement can have a perfect 50/50 split between the two subjects and still get rejected as there may be someone with a 30/70 split who just happens to have a stronger personal statement. I know from experience how hard it is to just cast the worries out of your mind, but just remember that it's out of your control now. Focus on what is in your control which is getting good A level grades. I personally know a few people who successfully got an anthro and law offer but didn't end up making the grades, so offers really aren't everything.

Thank you so much for the reply. I also wanted to ask about grades. If i have a strong set of gcse grades and strong predicted grades do you think that would advantage me? Or do you think it truly depends on the personal statement?

Reply 95

Original post by Anonymous #5

Thank you so much for the reply. I also wanted to ask about grades. If i have a strong set of gcse grades and strong predicted grades do you think that would advantage me? Or do you think it truly depends on the personal statement?

It definitely won't work against you, although I'm hesitant to say it will significantly increase your chances as it's almost expected for LSE. As in, a very large portion of those who do apply (and also of the current student body) would have also got top grades. For anthro and law in particular though, you could have 15 grade 9s at GCSE and 5 A*s at A-Level but if they don't think you've demonstrated enough of an interest in anthro as well as law, the person who just meets the grade requirements who does do this will be favoured. The reason why the grade requirements for anthro and law are lower is not because the course is any easier or less reputable, but because they're looking for demonstrated interest in both subjects which applicants often find hard to properly portray. Therefore, by lowering the requirements they're really just widening the pool of applicants so that they can find what they're looking for.

Of course, the applicant with a great personal statement and a strong set of grades will be in the best position, but grades will never make up for a poor statement, they'll only ever act as a supporting factor.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 96

Original post by poppy2022

It definitely won't work against you, although I'm hesitant to say it will significantly increase your chances as it's almost expected for LSE. As in, a very large portion of those who do apply (and also of the current student body) would have also got top grades. For anthro and law in particular though, you could have 15 grade 9s at GCSE and 5 A*s at A-Level but if they don't think you've demonstrated enough of an interest in anthro as well as law, the person who just meets the grade requirements who does do this will be favoured. The reason why the grade requirements for anthro and law are lower is not because the course is any easier or less reputable, but because they're looking for demonstrated interest in both subjects which applicants often find hard to properly portray. Therefore, by lowering the requirements they're really just widening the pool of applicants so that they can find what they're looking for.

Of course, the applicant with a great personal statement and a strong set of grades will be in the best position, but grades will never make up for a poor statement, they'll only ever act as a supporting factor.

Thank you so much for the help, I hope i will get a decision soon. Do you know when the earliest decisions are given out?

Reply 97

I also mentioned a harvard university online course. Is this a bad thing that i mentioned harvard in paritcular?

Reply 98

Original post by Anonymous #5

I also mentioned a harvard university online course. Is this a bad thing that i mentioned harvard in paritcular?

No, it's fine to mention other universities. There may have been some offers given out from mid-March, although you can double check on the 2022-23 LSE Offer Holder spreadsheet on last year's thread

Reply 99